2of6A woman wearing a protective mask walks past the display window of a closed sex shop in the area of Pigalle in Paris on march 16, 2020, as all non-essential public places including restaurants and cafes have been shut as a precaution to contain the spread of the COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus. - France will progressively reduce long-distance train, bus and plane travel over the coming days in a bid to limit the spread of the COVID-19, the government announced on March 15, 2020. The country has already shut cafes, restaurants, schools and universities and urged people to limit their movements. (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP) (Photo by JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images)Photo: JOEL SAGET / AFP via Getty Images

3of6They do the ultimate intimate move: Four words: Eye contact during orgasm. "It's such a vulnerable moment that sharing it adds a huge degree of intimacy to your relationship," says Laura Berman, Ph.D., director of the Berman Center in Chicago, who notes that a lot of long-term couples can't master this seemingly simple bedroom move. Locking eyes during lovemaking can also make you feel and act sexier, says Christine, 31, who lives in Middletown, New Jersey. "I feel more attractive when my husband is looking at me during sex," she says. "And that makes me more relaxed and open in bed."Photo: Simon Watson/Botanica / Getty Images

5of6Colombian Girl-cam model Rebecca reads a notebook as she studies at her apartment in Medellin, Colombia on April 11, 2020. - Eroticism and sex online are no longer enough. In confinement due to the pandemic, Colombian webcamers now spend more time listening and offering advice of all kinds to clients who do not know how to deal with the lockdown. (Photo by JOAQUIN SARMIENTO / AFP) (Photo by JOAQUIN SARMIENTO/AFP via Getty Images)Photo: JOAQUIN SARMIENTO / AFP via Getty Images

6of6LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 06: Entertainer Jennifer Romas laughs as she gets a kiss from her bulldog Napoleon while warming up before rehearsing at her home for her topless revue "SEXXY: The Show" as hotel-casinos remain closed because of the coronavirus pandemic on May 6, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Romas, who produces, directs and stars in the show at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, has been streaming videos and posting photos of her rehearsals and workouts to entertain people under stay-at-home orders to fight the spread of COVID-19. Since the Westgate had to shut down on March 17, Romas has also been recording bartending tutorials of specialty drinks from her show for the resort's social media outlets and running her show's online store, including packing and shipping show merchandise, from her home. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

The most common advice people are hearing during the coronavirus outbreak is to stay 6 feet apart. But in an era of safe physical distancing many are wondering if it’s also possible to have safe sex.

Researchers at Harvard University published a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine that recommends couples should wear face masks during sex.

Here are some other basic guidelines from the organizations above to follow if you’re feeling frisky:

Q: Can the coronavirus be transmitted through sex?

A: It’s complicated. Coronaviruses do not transmit strictly through sex, and the particular one that causes COVID-19, mainly spreads from droplets produced when infected people cough or sneeze, which are inhaled by people nearby. But the virus can spread through direct contact with saliva or mucus, and most sexual encounters tend to involve some kissing.

The Harvard researchers said all forms of in-person sexual contact carry risk for viral transmission, because the virus is readily transmitted by aerosols and fomites.

The study also states the virus can potentially be found in the semen of people who are infected with the virus.

Q: Whom is it safe to have sex with?

A: The guidelines say that your safest sexual partner during the pandemic is yourself: “Masturbation will not spread COVID-19, especially if you wash your hands (and any sex toys) with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after sex.”

Those who live with a partner and have not exhibited any symptoms of carrying the coronavirus — fever, shortness of breath and a dry cough — should also be OK. In fact, getting intimate with a monogamous partner is highly encouraged.

“If you live with a regular sexual partner and you don’t have any symptoms, or likely exposure, sex might actually be a really great way to have fun, stay connected and relieve anxiety during this potentially stressful time,” Dr. Julia Marcus, an infectious disease epidemiologist and professor in the department of population medicine at Harvard Medical School, told the Guardian.

Jumping on a dating app, hiring a sex worker or other ways of connecting with strangers to pass the time in quarantine is not recommended, unless you do it virtually.

Video dates, sexting, reading erotica to each other over FaceTime and dropping into chat rooms are all approved as alternative options to hooking up with someone outside your self-isolation zone.

Many sex workers have moved their services online and can be supported through services like Patreon, OnlyFans and various cam sites.

But the Harvard study warns before engaging in sexual activity on digital services, people should be aware of the risk of screenshots of conversations and videos and sexual extortion.

Q: When should I have sex?

A: Assuming you meet all the requirements above for safe sexual encounters, you should still avoid sex if your partner is not feeling well — especially kissing. That also holds true if your partner is at high-risk from COVID-19. That includes anyone with pre-existing medical conditions such as lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, cancer or a weakened immune system.

You should also show sexual restraint if you are feeling unwell or exhibiting symptoms associated with COVID-19, which include fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath.

Q: What are some basic precautions you can take before having sex?

A: With access to birth control pills becoming more difficult for some people and others having difficulty refilling orders during shelter-in-place orders, the New York City memo states that it’s more important than ever to use condoms to prevent unplanned pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

In cases of sex with others than those whom one is self-quarantined, the Harvard study recommends avoiding kissing and avoiding sexual behaviors with a risk of fecal-oral transmission, or that involve semen and urine; wearing a mask; showering before and after intercourse; and cleaning the space with soap and alcohol wipes.